Drive Well, Play Boring

Death Cab For Cutie
Drive Well, Sleep Carefully
[Plexifilm/Sonic Unyon, 2005]

Thanks in part to several well-placed TV gigs and soundtrack appearances, Death Cab have seen their fame rise exponentially since their formation in 1997. Since then, 4 albums and a couple EPs have been released to the rabid consumption of college kids everywhere. As well, the band has followed a pretty relentless international touring schedule. All that work has paid off, as their last full-length Transatlanticism sold well enough to land the band on Atlantic records for their next full-length.

This DVD ably captures the Seattle quartet during their 2004 tour of the States, juxtaposing intimate at-home interviews with live footage. Director Justin Mitchell wisely chose to document the band using a 16-mm Bolex camera, which results in a lush visual artefact of indie music determination. Mitchell’s camerawork is perhaps the strongest point of the disc, and indeed should be essential viewing for anyone wanting to make a documentary interesting.

Fans should note that Death Cab doesn’t really change their songs from show to show, or from album to performance, which doesn’t really lend them to memorable live shows. Not that this point should dissuade anybody from picking up Drive Well, as the DVD does indeed accomplish its purpose. In addition to the doc, 40 minutes of additional performances, interviews, rehearsals, and unreleased songs pad out the extras.

Death Cab prove themselves to be one of the most professional touring bands in music – no drug addictions, no egotrips, no tour-stop girlfriends, no cursing, no fist fights. This positive work ethic does indeed keep the band on track, but will never elevate them from beyond being, well, cute.